Sport practice device



Jan. 23, 1962 A. M. STARCK SPORT PRACTICE DEVICE 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed July 24, 1958 INVENTOR.

ARTHUR M. STARCK BLAIR, SPENCER BUCKLES.

ATTORNEYS.

Jan. 23, 1962 A. M. STARCK SPORT PRACTICE DEVICE 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed July 24, 1958 INVENTOR. ARTHUR M. STARCK BLAIR, SPENCER BUCKLES.

ATTORNEYS.

htate This invention relates to practice devices for aiding in the improvement of golfers swings, strokes and followthrough" techniques, and particularly to such devices employing a series of projecting posts aligned directly in the path of the golf club face, and adapted to indicate the characteristics of the users stroke.

One of the most diflicult problems faced by the golfer is that of perfecting a direct line swing with the proper follow-through, and without the common faults known as hooking or slicing, so that the golf ball will be driven in precisely the desired direction. When the swing diverges only slightly from the perfect direct line path,

a hook, slice or bad drive results and the ball often lands off the fairway. Various practice devices have been proposed in the past for helping the golfer to perfect his swing, many of them involving large and complicated mechanisms. None of these devices have afforded the combined advantages of simplicity, portability, and ease of repetitive operation achieved by the present invention.

A major object of this invention is to provide a golf practice device adapted to indicate in an easily understandable manner the characteristics of the users golf stroke.

Another object of the invention is to provide a golf practice device of the above character in which the indicating means can be quickly and conveniently readjusted or reset after each practice stroke.

A further object of the invention is to provide a golf practice device of the above character in which a series of projecting studs or posts are provided as indicating elements located substantially in the path of the golf club head or face, and are adapted to be displaced by the stroke of the passing club to indicate the characteristics of the stroke.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a golf practice device of the above character in which the indicating elements are adapted to be returned to their initial position by a foot-pedal actuated mechanism.

A further object of the invention is to provide a golf practice device of the above character having upwardlyprojecting brush-like elements flanking the indicating elements and adapted to deflect the club and protect the indicating elements and mechanism from injury by the club. Other objects of the invention will in part be obvious and will in part appear hereinafter.

The invention accordingly comprises the features of construction, combinations of elements, and arrangements of parts which will be exemplified in the constructions hereinafter set forth, and the scope of the invention will be indicated in the claims.

For a fuller understanding of the nature and objects of the invention, reference should be had to the follow ing detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of a device incorporating one embodiment of this invention, showing a practice golf ball in position;

FIGURE 2 is a sectional side elevation of the indicating mechanism of the device shown in FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 3 is a bottom plan view of the indicating mechanism shown in FIGURE 2;

FIGURE 4 is a front elevation of the device shown in FIGURE 1, with a golf ball teed up in practice driving position;

FIGURE 5 is a partial sectional rear elevation of the reat Zifilfgld Patented Jan. 23, 1962 device illustrated in FIGURE 1, showing a golf tee in position;

FIGURE 6 is a top plan view of the indicating mechanism portion of a different embodiment of the invention;

FiGURE 7 is a partial perspective diagrammatic view of a portion of the indicating mechanism shown in FIG- URE 6;

FIGURE 8 is a sectional side elevation of the indicating mechanism shown in FIGURE 6;

FIGURE 9 is a bottom plan view of the indicating mechanism shown in FIGURES 6 and 8; and

FIGURE 10 is a partial sectional view of a portion of the mechanism illustrated in FIGURE 2, showing construction details of the device.

The golf practice device of the present invention offers a unique and novel practice aid for the golfer. It provides an easily understandable indication of errors and inaccuracies in the golfers swing, stroke and followthrough. In the preferred embodiments of the invention, this indication is provided by several upwardly projecting indicating elements, such as studs or posts, positioned directly in the path of the golf club face, which upsets these posts as it strikes them during the stroke. The posts are mounted on spring-damped ball-and-socket mountings, and are thereby adapted to remain in their knocked-over position and direction to permit the golfer to study them after a practice stroke.

After they are struck by the club, the knocked-over direction of these posts indicates the direction the club face was travelling at the instant of its impact with each post. Thus, when the golfer perfects his drive and follow-through, the club face knocks over each of these posts in the desired direction. Intentional hooks and slices can also be practiced by using this device, since the knocked-down posts indicate the direction of travel of the club face at several points in its swing.

Another feature of the preferred form of the invention is a convenient re-erecting or setting-up mechanism for restoring the knocked-over posts to their original positions after they have been examined by the golfer. This re-erecting principle permits rapid and continuous re-use of the device for a series of practice strokes, making possible repetitive practice swings each of which may be corrected or adjusted until satisfactory improvement is achieved. A further important feature of the preferred embodiments of the invention is a series of rows of upstanding bristles mounted close to the projecting studs or posts and designed to deflect the golf club and protect the posts and re-erecting mechanism from damage by the fast-moving club.

In the preferred embodiment of the invention shown in FIGURES 1, 4 and 5, a base plate 10 supports the various elements of the device. Base plate 10 is substan tially rectangular, and it may be provided with a hole 14 for convenient storage of the device on a hook when not in use, and also with peripheral downwardly projecting flanges 12 along each side, which help to anchor the device in the sod during its use.

A tee-supporting sleeve 16 is mounted near the rear end of base plate lit by any suitable means, such as a screw or stud 17, as shown in FIGURE 5. A tee 18 may then be placed in sleeve 16, and a practice golf ball 20 may be set on tee 18. The use of ball 2% in practice is optional, since the device may be used equally well without a ball for practice purposes.

Upwardly projecting indicating elements, which may take the form of studs or posts 22, are aligned generally along the central longitudinal axis of the device in line with tee 18 and the path of travel of the golf club. Reerecting mechanism 3% supports indicating elements 22 and is mounted on base plate it toward the end thereof opposite tee 18, the front end of the device. Mechanism 36 supports posts 22 in ball-and-socket joints described in detail below.

Rows of upstanding bristles 24 and 26 form brush-like elements mounted along both sides of plate It) flanking mechanism 36 and tee-supporting sleeve 16. Bristles 24 are long enough to project upward higher than mechanism 30, and are thereby adapted to deflect the swinging club and avoid damage to mechanism 30 therefrom. Similar rows of bristles 28 are centrally mounted between rows 24 and 26 at the rear end of base plate It flanking tee-supporting sleeve 16 and similarly protecting it from injury by the fast-moving club. The rows of bristles may be secured to base plate by any convenient means, such as the grooved members 32 shown in FIGURES 1, 4 and 5, which may be aluminum extrusions.

The preferred form of re-erecting mechanism 30 is shown in detail in FIGURES l, 2, 3 and 10. This mechanism is encased in a cover 42 which has an upper face 3, side walls 44, and mounting flanges 46 secured to base plate 10.

Substantially hemispherical upper semi-sockets 48 are formed in inserts 49 and project upwardly through suitable openings 60 in upper face 43, as shown in FIGURES 2 and 10.

As best seen in FIGURES 1 and 7, roughly triangular segments are cut away fromthe forward portions of semisockets 48 to form apertures 52, having upper notches 94 therein positioned near. the upper poles of hemispherical semi-sockets 48.

Substantially spherical balls 54 are seated inside semisockets 48, and are held in place by the lower ring sockets 56 formed in the resilient members 68 which are urged upwardly by the member 70, damping the otherwise free rotation of balls 54.

Indicating elements or posts 22 are integrally and preferably diametrically joined to balls 54. Posts 22 and balls 54- may be formed from integral blanks of metal, nylon, or other material; alternatively posts 22 may be secured within cylindrical passages 72 formed in balls 54, as shown in FIGURE 10. Posts 22 have fixed ends 74 projecting beneath balls 54 within mechanism 30 and between side walls 44, and free ends projecting upwardly through apertures 52 to form the portions of posts 22 seen in FIG- URE 1.

If desired, stiffening wire 76 may be centrally incorporated within posts 22 for added strength and fatigue resistance, and wire 76 may be the only portion of post 22 projecting beneath ball 54 to form fixed end 74, as shown in FIGURE 10.

The elements designed to re-erect posts 22 arepositioned in the enclosure formed by upper face 43, side walls 44, and base 10. Member 70 is slidably mounted between side walls 44 and beneath ring sockets 56. Member 70 is provided with suitable openings 75 adapted to accommodate projecting fixed ends 74, and openings 75 are provided with notches 90 adapted to engage these fixed'ends 74 upon sliding movement of member 70.

In the embodiment shownin FIGURES 2 and 3, member 70 rests and slides upon transverse rods 77 spanning the enclosure between side walls 44, and rods 77 may be either permanently installed or removably mounted elements.

The sliding motion of member 70 is actuated by such means as lever or foot-pedal 80 rotatably mounted at the front end of mechanism 30 upon pin 82. Bars 86 on pedal 80 engage member 70 and produce this sliding motion thereof, as is apparent from FIGURES 2 and 3. Leaf spring 88, hearing against member 70 and base plate 10, as shown in FIGURES 1 and 2, resiliently restrains the sliding motion of member 70 and restores member 70 to its initial position when pedal 80 is released. It will be seen from FIGURE 2 that depression of pedal 80 by the user of the device moves member 74) toward pedal 80, bringing notches 90 into engagement with fixed ends 74 and thus causing rotation of balls 54 until posts 22, guided by the side edges 92 of apertures 52, are seated in notches 94. When pedal Si 18 released, spring 88 moves member 70, taking notches 90 out of engagement with fixed ends 74 so that posts 22 are again free to be knocked down by the swinging golf club.

The device of the invention is preferably made of Weather-resistant materials, and it has been found that sheet stainless steel is well adapted for fabricating the base plate and re-erecting mechanism elements, while such plastic materials as nylon are suitable for the indicating elements 22, the balls 54, and the rows of bristles 24, 26, and 28. Steel wire, such as piano wire, is a suitable material for stiffening wire 76 incorporated within indicating elements 22.

Various alternative constructions of the elements of re erecting mechanism 30 are shown in FIGURES 6, 8, and 9. Here upper semi-sockets 48 are formed directly in upper face 43, while lower ring-sockets 56 are all formed from a single resilient plate 62 resting on member 70. Machine screws 64 depending through upper face 43 support nuts 66 on which member 7% is slidably supported via slots 78. Notches 94) are shown formed in wire frames 71 secured to member 70, and notches 90 engage projecting fixed ends 74 in the manner described above. The sliding movement of member 76 is here restrained by compression coil springs 91 bearing against member 70 and a flange or brace secured to side walls 44, such as brace 93 shown in FIGURES 8 and 9. Thus, it will be apparent that many alternative arrangements of parts and structural changes may be employed in various embodiments of such sporting practice devices within the principles of the'invention disclosed herein. As one example of such structural changes, the re-erecting mechanism may be actuated by a variety of linkages; pedal may be positioned at the rear end of plate 10 or on one or both sides of the device, with mechanical linkage joining it to sliding member 70. Again, the re-erecting mechanism 30 may be recessedwithin or beneath base plate 10 in such fashion that semi-sockets 48 are substantially level with the upper surface of plate 10. This permits the use of longer and therefore more flexible posts 22, reducing possible stresses at the junction of each post 22 with its ball 54.

The operation of the practice devices of this invention will be easily understood by referring to the drawings and the foregoing description of the preferred construction.

With reference particularly to FIGURES 1, 2, and 3, the user first places the device before him upon the floor or ground, either on the golf course or elsewhere, with the tee supporting sleeve 16 and indicating elements 22 positioned in the desired line of flight of the ball 20. Practice swings may be made without using ball 20 and tee 18, or a regulation golf ball or a light-weight practice ball of foam rubber, plastic, celluloid, 0r knitted fiber may'be'employed.

Indicating elements or posts 22 are erected to initial positions substantially perpendicular to base plate 10 by depressing pedal 80, as shown above, which moves member 70 toward pedal 80, notches 9t) engaging fixed ends 74 and rotating balls 54 to bring posts 22 to the desired upright initial positions seated in notches 94.

When pressure is removed from pedal 80, member 70 is returned by spring 88, taking notches out of engagement with fixed ends 74, which are then free to move in openings 75, permitting posts 22 to be struck by the swinging golf club and deflected to knocked-over positions, as shown in FIGURE 7, where they are held by the resilient pressure or damping action of lower ringsockets 56 upon balls 54.

Post 22 are located directly in the path of the golf clubs' stroke, and each post 22 indicates by its knockedover direction the orientation of the golf clubs path at the moment of impact with the respective post 22. The golfer may thus study the knocked-over position of posts 22 and determine the corrections to be made in his stroke.

vabiaib' When this examination is completed, he can then depress pedal 80, and the device is immediately ready to be used for another practice swing. Numerous repetitive practice strokes can thus be made with the appropriate corrections being added until the desired improvement is achieved.

It will be seen that bristles 24, 26, and 28 cooperate with the other elements of the device to deflect the fastmoving club so that it will not damage the tee support or the re-erectin'g mechanism during the use of the device.

Many variations of this invention may be adapted for practice use in other sports where the user wishes to perfect his stroke or swing technique with a bat, racket, mallet, paddle, or the like. In such variations the indicating elements would be suitably spaced and arranged, the base plate could be suitably supported in a vertical or upside-down position from a supporting structure, and suitable target elements corresponding to tee 18 and ball 20 could be combined as desired. Furthermore, the devices of the present invention are well suited to form a game or sport device in themselves, and suitable scoring spaces or target areas surrounding the indicating elements enhance this usefulness of the invention for this purpose.

It will thus be seen that the objects set forth above, among those made apparent from the preceding description, are efficiently attained and, since certain changes may be made in the above constructions without departing from the scope of the invention, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

It is also to be understood that the following claims are intended to cover all of the generic and specific features of the invention herein described, and all statements of the scope of the invention which, as a matter of language, might be said to fall therebetween.

Having described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A sport practice device comprising in combination a substantially rectangular base plate, a re-erecting mechanism centrally secured to said base plate, said mechanism having an upper face incorporating a plurality of substantially aligned and resiliently damped ball and socket joints, a corresponding plurality of posts secured in said joints, each having a fixed end projecting therefrom within said mechanism and a free end projecting therefrom outside said upper face of said mechanism, each of said posts thus being adapted to project outwardly from said device and to be independently moved angularly from initial substantially upright positions to a variety of angularly knocked-over positions determined by the direction of travel of a golf club head being swung therethrough where each of said posts will be held by the damping action of said resiliently damped ball and socket joints, a resiliently-restrained member slidably mounted Within said mechanism provided with a corresponding plurality of notches adapted to engage the projecting fixed ends of said posts, and an actuator incorporated in said re-erecting mechanism and adapted to actuate said member, whereby said posts may be simultaneoulsy restored from said angularly knocked-over positions to said initial positions.

2. A golf practice device comprising in combination a substantially rectangular base plate, golf tee-supporting means centrally mounted on said base plate near one end thereof, a re-erecting mechanism centrally secured to said base plate near the opposite end thereof, said mechanism having an upper face incorporating a plurality of resiliently damped ball and socket joints, a correspond ing plurality of posts secured in said joints, each having a fixed end projecting therefrom within said mechanism and a free end projecting therefrom outside said upper face of said mechanism, said posts thus being adapted to project upwardly substantially in line with said teesupporting means along the longitudinal axis of said device and to be moved from substantially upright initial positions to a variety of knocked-over postiions where they will be held by the damping action of said resiliently damped ball and socket joints, a resiliently-restrained member slidably mounted within said mechanism and provided with a corresponding plurality of notches adapted to engage the projecting fixed ends of said posts, a foot pedal mounted at one end of said base plate, means connecting said foot pedal with said re-erecting mechanism to actuate said resiliently restrained member, whereby said posts may be simultaneously re-erected from said knocked-over positions to said initial positions, and a plurality of rows of upwardly projecting stiff bristles mounted upon said base plate and surrounding said tee-supporting means and said re-erecting mechanism, whereby only the free ends of said posts and a tee mounted in said sleeve will project above said bristles.

3. A golf practice device comprising in combination a substantially rectangular flat base plate having downwardly projecting peripheral flanges, a golf tee-suporting sleeve centrally mounted on said base plate near one end thereof, a re-erecting mechanism centrally secured to said base plate near the opposite end thereof, said mechanism having an upper face incorporating a plurality of resiliently damped ball and socket joints, a corresponding plurality of posts secured in said joints, each having a fixed end projecting therefrom within said mechanism and a free end projecting therefrom above said mechanism, said posts thus being adapted to project upwardly substantially in line with said tee-supporting sleeve along the longitudinal axis of said device and to be moved to a variety of knocked-down positions where they will be held by the damping action of said resiliently damped ball and socket joints, a resiliently-restrained member slidably mounted within said mechanism provided with a corresponding plurality of notches adapted to engage the projecting fixed ends of said posts, a foot pedal mounted at one end of said r-e-ereoting mechanism and adapted to actuate said member, whereby said posts may be: simultaneously re-erected from said knocked-down position to said upwardly projecting position, and a plurality of rows of upwardly projecting stifi bristles mounted upon said base plate and surrounding said tee-supporting sleeve and said re-erecting mechanism, whereby only the free ends of said posts and a tee mounted in said sleeve will project above said bristles.

4. A sport practice device comprising in combination a base plate, a re-erecting mechanism mounted upon said base plate and including a cover having an upper face, side walls and mounting flanges, said mounting flanges being centrally secured to said base plate, a plurality of upwardly protruding substantially hemispherical upper semi-sockets convexly formed in said upper face and having cut-away segments forming apertures in said semisockets, resilient means including a corresponding plurality of lower ring-sockets secured under said upper face with said lower ring sockets adjacent to and facing said upper semi-sockets, a corresponding plurality of balls mounted within said mechanism between each said pair of upper semi-sockets and lower ring sockets, said balls sing adapted for universal rotation, but said rotation being damped by said resilient means, a corresponding plurality of indicating elements integrally joined to said balls, each of said indicating elements having a fixed end projecting beneath said upper face and through said lower ring-socket between said side walls and a free end projecting above said upper face, said indicating elements thus being adapted to project upwardly through said apertures above said upper face and to be moved from upwardly projecting initial positions to a variety of knocked-down positions where they will be held by the damping action of said resilient means, a resiliently-restrained member slidably mounted beneath said lower ring-sockets and between said side walls and provided '2' with a corresponding plurality of notches adapted to engage the projecting fixed ends of said. indicating elements, actuating means incorporated with said re-erecting mechanism and adapted to actuate said member, whereby said indicating elements may be simultaneously 5 re-erected from said knocked-down positions to said initial positions, and a plurality of rows of upwardly projecting stiff bristles mounted upon said base plate adjacent to said re-erecting mechanism, whereby only the free endsof said posts will project above said bristles. 10

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS MacDonald June 13, 1922 Yaggi Oct. 29, 1929 Trapp Nov. 23, 1954 Harp July 12, 1955 Hoag Apr. 30, 1957 FOREIGN PATENTS Great Britain Nov. 24, 1932 

